Revisiting the Luck Surface Area

Howdy,

Welcome to the 4 new folks who subscribed to the newsletter this past week!

This week, we're looking back on the model that inspired me to start publishing online 2 years ago.

Plus, we've got more photos from the last 2 weeks on the road at the end of the newsletter!

2 years ago, I wrote about 2 variables that allow people to create their own luck.

Doing = (D)

Telling = (T)

D * T = Luck

This linear equation to manufacture luck was the thesis of a piece from Jason Roberts of Codus Operandi.

The basis of the equation is that you have to efficiently allocate effort to both doing (D) and telling (T) in order to be lucky.

About 2 years ago, I took Jason's model and expanded upon it in the first piece I published online (mainly adding parabolas to his original image + the idea of allocating effort points - see image description below).

The model I created in 2020. Point A & Point B spent 90 effort points but are in the lowest level of luck. Point C spent 90 effort points but is in luck level 3. Why? Point C shows the importance of balancing both doing (D) and telling (T), not just focusing on one or the other.

Now that 2 years have passed, here's my assessment of the Luck Surface Model:

1 thing I didn't expect from the Luck Surface Model:

• Storytelling = Chance for Schools to Improve - this is backed by anecdote, not by data, but my gut feeling is that the majority of people focus on doing (D) and not telling (T) because of the "beat the test" culture in school. Doing (D) the work in school = memorizing answers, regurgitating them onto a page, and moving on. The absolute value of D in "beat the test culture" is low. In the workforce, we are required to do (D) the work with critical thinking, detail, and intention because we need to be able to defend - tell (T) the story - behind the work to clients, bosses, team members, prospective clients, etc. The absolute value of doing (D) is much higher when you're expected to tell (T) the story behind your work, leading to higher levels of luck. As a result, I think we need to do a better job of teaching the telling (T) aspect in school.

2 pros of operating the Luck Surface Model:

• Improved Thinking - nothing will make you improve your thinking around any given subject like having the guts to publish your writing on it. Building the courage to put your ideas out there is healthy because it requires you to challenge your own thinking, cite your sources, and invite other people to critique your perspective. The caveat here is that you have a responsibility to engage with people who intentionally engage with your work - even if they disagree with you; especially if they disagree with you.

• Friends with Shared Interests - you're at a cocktail party. You're deeply interested in a subject. You're pontificating upon said subject. The listener is trying not to fall asleep as you pontificate. This doesn't count as a friend with shared interests. I'm talking about people who want to jam with you about what you're talking about because they're also deeply invested in the subject. The Luck Surface Model helps address this because chances are, people who have your niche interests don't live in close proximity to you. You may only be able to find your whacky people through the internet.

3 variables that need to be included in a future Luck Surface Model:

• Passion (P) - do you care about what you work on? If so, it'll yield higher levels of luck.

• Consistency (C) - a routine cadence with which you do (D) and tell (T) leads to higher levels of luck.

• Empathy (E) - the ability to relate to people. This results in higher levels of trust amongst team members/supporters, leading to higher levels of luck.

I haven't found a way to incorporate these 3 new variables mathematically or visually into a new model, but I'll keep workin' on it and circle back with you down the line.

Photos of the week

Locations the past 2 weeks: Durham, NC -> Boone, NC -> Cherokee Lake, TN -> Knoxville, TN -> Cookeville, TN -> Nashville, TN

Need to head north soon. It's gettin' hot down here in the van - where should I go?

Watching the sunset at Panther Creek State Park over Lake Cherokee in Tennessee.

Hotel Walmart somewhere in Tennessee.

Mural in Cookeville, TN. After watching Home Town Makeover with my Aunt Joanne and Uncle Keith, I am convinced that murals are a healthy sign of any given main street in America. They bring vibrant color/character to the street, plus they serve as great photo-ops which leads to free marketing.

Made it to Nashville and had the chance to walk the city with my friend Antonia. Now hanging out with my sister, Ashley. We went to see the new Top Gun. I strongly recommend watching the original Top Gun and then going to see the new one in the same 24-time period. You'll see so many details from the original that the directors brought forward into the new movie that you might not see otherwise. It's so well done.

Thanks for reading

Consider implementing the Luck Surface Area and publishing your thoughts online because you (yes, you) have individual thoughts that are too important not to refine and share,

Josh

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